EP0060013B1 - Verfahren und Apparat zum Sortieren von Gegenständen nach Gewicht - Google Patents

Verfahren und Apparat zum Sortieren von Gegenständen nach Gewicht Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0060013B1
EP0060013B1 EP19820300084 EP82300084A EP0060013B1 EP 0060013 B1 EP0060013 B1 EP 0060013B1 EP 19820300084 EP19820300084 EP 19820300084 EP 82300084 A EP82300084 A EP 82300084A EP 0060013 B1 EP0060013 B1 EP 0060013B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
discharge
weighing
weighing device
weight
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19820300084
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0060013A1 (de
Inventor
Taichi Horii
Yasutsugu Obuchi
Katsuhiro Iida
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Maki Manufacturing Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Maki Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP3123981U external-priority patent/JPS6127676Y2/ja
Priority claimed from JP4115681U external-priority patent/JPS57153217U/ja
Priority claimed from JP1981047880U external-priority patent/JPH023128Y2/ja
Priority claimed from JP5141181U external-priority patent/JPH0127064Y2/ja
Priority claimed from JP1981077820U external-priority patent/JPS6115996Y2/ja
Priority claimed from JP1981077818U external-priority patent/JPS6119831Y2/ja
Priority claimed from JP12546481U external-priority patent/JPS5830613U/ja
Application filed by Maki Manufacturing Co Ltd filed Critical Maki Manufacturing Co Ltd
Publication of EP0060013A1 publication Critical patent/EP0060013A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0060013B1 publication Critical patent/EP0060013B1/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/16—Sorting according to weight
    • B07C5/18—Sorting according to weight using a single stationary weighing mechanism

Definitions

  • This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for sorting objects on the basis of their weights.
  • the invention is particularly applicable to the sorting of agricultural products such as fruit, by handling each fruit one at a time, determining its weight and then classifying or grading each piece on the basis of the weight thereof.
  • a conveyor system having cup traction shafts mounted at regular intervals on an endless chain arranged to operate in a recirculatory manner. Cups are hinged to the traction shafts and each cup is provided with a finger which is arranged to slide on a weighing instrument, to determine the weight of a carried object.
  • cups or weighing buckets are attached to supporting members so as to be able to tilt with respect thereto, constituting a so-called Roberval mechanism.
  • the supporting members are secured to the conveyor chain at regular intervals to form a conveyor system with the weighting cups.
  • each of the supporting members is provided with a finger or a hook or a sliding piece called a sliding pin which protrudes from a part of the supporting member so as to slide on the weighing instrument while the conveyor system is on the move, so that the fruit can be classified and sorted by weight thereof.
  • the conventional arrangements thus have cups or weighing buckets kept horizontal and secured to the chain through supporting members either by hinges or fulcrum pins, as shown for example in the two above-mentioned US Patent Specifications Nos. 2980252 and 4106628. Therefore, any vibration of the chain on movement thereof is transmitted to the sliding pieces or other elements which are connected to the cups or weighing buckets to allow the detection of weight.
  • the weight detecting elements thus slide on to a weighing instrument while the elements are vibrating, and it has been a shortcoming of the conventional arrangements that considerable weighing errors result from the vibration during the sliding movement on the weighing instrument this gives rise to inaccurate sorting by weight.
  • each cup or weighing bucket is carried by a fulcrum pin or a hinged linkage coupling the cup to other components.
  • the freedom of movement or frictional resistance for one cup or bucket may differ significantly from another, especially when there are provided hundreds of cups or buckets.
  • weight cannot be measured with precise accuracy, even if the weights of all the cups or weighing buckets are made identical.
  • Another known arrangement has a small conveyor provided at the weighing receiver plate of a weighing instrument, for conveying to the instrument the objects to be weighed on a piece-by-piece basis.
  • this arrangement is employed where industrial products are to be subjected to automatic quality control, to determine whether the weight thereof is at a prescribed value or deviates therefrom.
  • a weighing instrument using a conveyor of this type is capable of weighing in a non-contact manner each object to be tested by removing it from the conveyor, piece-by-piece.
  • the conveyor is incorporated in the weighing mechanism, vibration resulting from the placing of a piece on the conveyor or the removal of a piece therefrom as well as vibration of the conveyor itself can greatly affect the weighing accuracy.
  • the present invention aims at reducing the shortcomings of the known apparati as discussed above. This is achieved by employing an electronic weighing instrument which is capable of covering a wide range of weight values with only a very slight degree of displacement of a weighing receiver plate. It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a sorting method and sorting apparatus in which containers for the objects to be sorted can be of simple structure and of uniform weight, allowing the weight of a carried object to be measured at a relatively high speed and then sorted with a high degree of accuracy, whilst allowing simple weight grade adjustments and operation to be performed.
  • one aspect of the invention provides a method for sorting objects on the basis of their weights, using apparatus comprising an electronic weighing device and a conveyor system having a plurality of containers each for carrying one object, each container being supported by conveyor means serving to advance each container in sequence to the weighing device and then through a succession of discharge points, the apparatus being arranged to discharge a carried object at one of the discharge points appropriate for the determined weight of that object, the arrangement being such that at the weighing device each container is lifted clear of the conveyor means so as to be supported solely by the weighing device whilst weighing is performed, characterised in that the container is advanced by the conveyor means whilst being supported solely by the weighing device by means of a freely rotatable roller which imparts an advancing force in a generally horizontal direction on the container.
  • the electronic weighting device may have a slide rail along which each container is in turn slid whilst being supported solely thereby to allow weighing to be performed, in which case it is preferred for there to be clearance between the container and the conveyor means which supports the container other than at the weighing device, which clearance allows the container to move upwardly, downwardly, to either side or forwardly, with respect to the conveyor means. In this way, any vibrations present in the conveyor means will not be imparted to the container during the weighing process.
  • each container may simply be slid on to and off the weighing device, with a much reduced likelihood of vibration occurring.
  • the relative level of the receiver plate should be set so as to leave upper and lower clearances between the container and a mounting member therefor, on the conveyor means.
  • apparatus for sorting objects on the basis of their weight comprises an electronically-controlled weighing device, a conveyor system having a plurality of containers each adapted to carry one object to be sorted, each container being supported by conveyor means arranged to advance the containers in sequence to the weighing device and then through a plurality of spaced discharge points, discharge means being provided at each discharge point to discharge a carried object if a discharge signal is directed to that discharge means, and processing means arranged to receive an electric signal from the weighing device and an electric clock signal generated in synchronism with operation of the conveyor means, the processing means generating said discharge signals, characterised in that each container has a receiving pan part, a sliding face and a mounting part including two apertures extending transversely of the mounting part and spaced apart in the direction of advancement of the container, and in that the conveyor means has a plurality of mounting members two associated with each container respectively with each mounting member passing with clearance through an aperture of the container mounting part so that each container is normally supported by two mounting members but may
  • the mounting member and the container mounting part are arranged to define such clearances therebetween as permit the container to move upwardly, downwardly, to either side or forwardly with respect to the mounting member when the container is supported wholly by weighing means.
  • the most preferred form of the apparatus has weighing means including a slide rail along which each container is in turn slid as weighing is performed, there being guide means to lift each container clear of its mounting member and on to the slide rail of the weighing device and then to receive each container from the slide rail and lower each container back on to its mounting member.
  • the container may define the vertical thrust-receiving face and the freely rotatable roller serves as a pushing member periphery of which engages the thrust-receiving face of the container.
  • each container is not in contact with its mounting member when the container is slid over the weighing device, whilst carrying the object to be sorted.
  • the container is pushed horizontally by a part of the circumference of the freely rotatable roller, in the direction of advancement of the container. Therefore, there is not adverse effect on the vertical load of the container applied to the weighing device.
  • the invented arrangement effectively prevents any vibration of the conveying means from being transmitted, sorting by weight can be carried out at a high degree of accuracy. Besides, the high weighing accuracy permits an increase in the conveyor speed to increase the processing capacity.
  • Figures 1 to 9 all generally illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and the embodiment selected for a particular application will depend upon the kind of objects to be sorted, the quantity of the objects to be processed, the scale of the sorting operation, the size of the available space for installation of the sorting apparatus, the layout of the apparatus, and so on.
  • like parts are given like reference characters.
  • the weight sorting apparatus generally described below with reference to Figures 1 to 9 are arranged in various manners, as best appreciated from Figures 1, 3, 5 and 7, respectively.
  • the apparatus 1 shown in each of these drawings has a supply section 3 which is arranged to feed objects 2 to be sorted; a weighing section 4; and a sorting and discharge section 5.
  • Each of these sections 3, 4 and 5 is arranged to extend for the required length.
  • the apparatus further includes containers 6 each being arranged to carry one piece of the objects to be sorted.
  • Each container 6 is provided with a receiving pan part 7, a sliding face 8 and a mounting part.
  • the container 6 may be arranged either to have the receiving pan part 7, the sliding face 8 and the mounting part formed into a unified body or to have these parts separately formed but assembled with the receiving pan part 7 supported jointly by the mounting part and the sliding face 8, so as to be tiltable to one side.
  • One of these different ways of arranging the container 6 is selected, according to the mode of employment of the invention.
  • the apparatus has a conveying means 10, which includes either a conveyor chain 11 or a rotating body 12 such as a turntable, according to the embodiments of the invention.
  • a conveying means 10 which includes either a conveyor chain 11 or a rotating body 12 such as a turntable, according to the embodiments of the invention.
  • the container 6 is thus permitted free movement within the range defined by those clearances.
  • such clearances may be of the order of several mm.
  • the apertures 9 in the mounting part of the container 6 are arranged to be larger than the mounting members 13, for obtaining the above stated clearances ( Figures 10, 15).
  • the shapes and structural arrangement of these parts vary with the particular embodiment of the invention.
  • the container 6 is provided with a vertical face 15 either on the mounting part 9 or on some other part ( Figure 10).
  • the vertical face 15 is directed rearwardly and is disposed to have a part of the circumference of a freely rotatable roller 16 in contact therewith.
  • the roller 16 is arranged in this manner to maintain the clearances e and f between the mounting members 13 and the apertures 9 of the container 6.
  • Each container 6 being thus arranged, many containers are mounted on the conveying means 10 at regular intervals to form a conveyor system 14 with containers 6.
  • the system 14 travels in an endless recirculating manner.
  • the vertical face 15 is disposed below the receiving pan part 7 of the container 6 and above the sliding face 8 - i.e. between the receiving pan part 7 and the sliding face 8 - and may be arranged either in front of, in the middle of or behind the container 6, according to the embodiment of the invention.
  • the vertical face 15 is disposed in front of the mounting part, it still should face rearwardly. Then, it is both preferred and economical for the roller 16 to be arranged within an aperture 9 with a mounting member 13 used as a shaft therefor.
  • the weighing section 4 ( Figures 2, 4) of the apparatus includes an electronic weighing instrument 17 and a weighing receiver plate 18.
  • the receiver plate 18 has sliding measurement rails 19 arranged thereon so as to be able to co-operate with the sliding face 8 of each container 6.
  • the weighing instrument 17 with the receiving plate 18 is disposed beneath the container conveying path 20 of the conveyor system 14 having the containers.
  • the height of the weighing instrument 17 is arranged such that the clearances a, b, c and d mentioned in the foregoing are retained between the mounting members 13 and the mounting part of the container 6 when the container 6 slides on the sliding measurement rails 19. In other words, the weighing instrument is disposed at a height at which the container 6 is lifted up by a slight degree from the mounting members 13.
  • the electronic weighing instrument 17 may be either a force-balance type weighing instrument using an electromagnet force-balance device, or a load cell type weighing instrument using a load cell, or a weighing instrument using a differental transformer.
  • a force-balance type weighing instrument using an electromagnet force-balance device or a load cell type weighing instrument using a load cell, or a weighing instrument using a differental transformer.
  • the cyclic loading tends to cause the weighing receiver plate 18 to move up and down. This then tends to vibrate, due to its inertia. It is therefore preferable to employ a force-balance type weighing machine using an electromagnetic force-balance device when a high speed operation is to be performed.
  • the electromagnetic force-balance device 21 is mounted on a lever 22 to which the weighing receiver plate 18 is attached.
  • the device 21 is arranged to hold and balance the weighing receiver plate 18 always at a prescribed level, pivoting on a fulcrum 23.
  • the device 21 acts to lift up the plate 18 by as much as it has sunk. With the device 21 employed, therefore, vibration can be absorbed even where the weighing operation is performed at a high rate exceeding 3 pieces/ sec., so that the weighing can be accomplished with a high degree of accuracy.
  • the electronic weighing instrument 17 is provided with entrance guide rails 24 and exit guide rails 25 which are disposed respectively before and after the sliding measurement rails 19.
  • the rails 24 and 25 are arranged so that each container 6 comes on to and leaves the rails 19 smoothly, without imparting any impact of vibration forces to the weighing instrument 17, the heights of these rails 24 and 25 being adjusted to correspond to the height of the sliding measurement rails 19.
  • the entrance and exit guide rails 24 and 25 may be mounted on the frame of the conveyor system which is equipped with the containers. However, in view of the importance of the positions of the rails 24 and 25 in relation to the sliding measurement rails 19, the rails 24 and 25 are preferably mounted on the same base as the electronic weighing instrument 17.
  • the entrance guide rails 24 are arranged to lift in turn each container 6 of the conveyor system 14 by engaging from below the sliding face 8 thereof, and then to cause each container to slide and travel horizontally at a height that maintains the above-stated clearances a and b.
  • the exit guide rails 25 are arranged to receive in turn each container 6 as it comes off the sliding measurement rails 19, without changing the height of the container 6 and, after each container has left the rails 19, to guide it smoothly whilst lowering it until the clearance a at the mounting part becomes zero, the mounting part then being supported by the mounting members 13.
  • a clock means 26 ( Figure 9) is arranged to produce a pulse signal in synchronism with the movement of the containers 6 and is arranged in association with the conveyor system 14 equipped with the containers. Any suitable known form of clock means may be used for this purpose.
  • the timing of the clock means 26 is adjusted in such a manner that a pulse signal is issued when a container 6 has arrived at a predetermined point on the electronic weighing instrument 17.
  • the weighing device of the apparatus of this invention is provided with an amplifier 27, which is arranged to amplify an electrical signal produced by the electronic weighing instrument and proportional to the weight of the load imposed on the weighing receiver palte 18.
  • the output signal from the amplifier 27 is converted by a converter 28 into a digital signal which is proportional to the weight.
  • the electronic weighing instrument 17, the amplifier 27 and the converter 28 constitute a weighing device.
  • the weighing device is connected to an arithmetic unit 29, as is the output of the clock means 26.
  • the weighing device is arranged as follows. The instant a container 6 slides on to the sliding measurement rails 19 of the electronic weighing instrument 17, the sudden loading causes the weighing receiver plate 18 to vibrate somewhat. At this instant, the clock means 26 produces a pulse signal. With the pulse signal obtained, the converter 28 produces a digital signal corresponding to the weight at the time at which the container 6 has come to travel smoothly on the sliding measurement rails 19, the vibration having been gradually absorbed there.
  • the arithmetic unit 29 is connected to receive the output of the converter 28 of the weighing device and the output of the clock means 26.
  • the arithmetic unit is mainly composed of a comparison circuit 30; a preset circuit 31 provided for setting standard weight grading values; a discharge position setting circuit 32 for setting a discharge position for each grade; and a shift circuit 33 which is arranged to transmit a discharge - instruction signal to each of the set of discharge positions in synchronism with the containers. Any suitable known form of arithmetic unit may be employed as the arithmetic unit 29.
  • Discharge devices 34 are arranged in the sorting and discharge section 5 of the conveyor system 14, and are disposed either on one side of or beneath the container conveying path 20. Each device is allocated to a particular weight grade to discharge an appropriate object. A known form of discharge arrangement may be used for each of the discharge devices 34.
  • the digital signal which is produced by the converter 28 in proportion to the measured weight is counted in the comparison circuit 30 and is compared with the preset values of grades, to determine an appropriate grade. Then, a discharge instruction signal is transmitted to one of the discharge devices 34 located at a position of the appropriate grade when the relevant container is at that position.
  • the discharge devices 34 are arranged to discharge a carried object from the receiving pan part of the containers 6, at the determined positions.
  • the discharging action of each discharge device 34 may be accomplished in one of a number of various manners, such as discharging by tilting a container 6 to one side, discharging by tilting the rear edge of a container 6 downwardly, discharging by pushing a carried object 2 to one side without tilting the container 6, and so on.
  • a suitable discharging manner should be selected according to the mode of employment of the invention, having regard to the design of the conveyor system having the containers.
  • a counter which counts the individual pieces sorted in each grade and a printer arranged to record the sorting data may both be connected to the arithmetic unit 29.
  • FIGs 10 to 14 illustrate in greater detail various features of the conveyor system provided with containers and discharge devices, forming the weight sorting apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the receiving pan part 7 of each container is arranged to be tiltable to one side.
  • the sliding face 8 and the mounting part 35 of the container are formed into one unified body to serve as a supporting body 35 for the pan part 7.
  • a tilting mechanism 36 which is arranged to tilt the receiving pan part 7 is incorporated in the supporting body 35.
  • the receiving pan part 7 is mounted on and connected to the supporting body 35, and also to the tilting mechanism 36 through a link 37 and a pin 38.
  • the tilting mechanism 36 is arranged to urge the receiving pan part to lie horizontal, by means of a spring 39.
  • the receiving pan part 7 is tilted by having a downwardly-protruding pin 40 slid by the discharge device 34 against the force of the spring 39.
  • the mounting part 35 is mounted by two mounting members 13 each of which is a round rod attached to the chain 11, so as to extend through apertures 9 in the mounting part 35.
  • These apertures may be formed to have round or square shapes, or indeed other shapes.
  • the size of each hole must be determined by adding the require clearances a, b, e and f to the outside diameter of the mounting member 13.
  • the vertical face 15 is provided at the rear of the mounting part 35, a roller 16 being rotatably attached to the chain 11 to serve as the pushing member for pushing the vertical face 15 whilst the container is conveyed horizontally with the clearances e and f being maintained.
  • the mounting part 35 is formed with square apertures 9.
  • the vertical face 15 is formed on the front side of the apertures 9 so as to face rearwardly.
  • a freely rotatable roller 16 is attached to the mounting member 13 formed as a round rod, and the roller 16 is used as the pushing member.
  • the container 6 is arranged to be supported on tapered parts 43 provided on both sides thereof, and is thus kept in the middle of the chain conveyor.
  • FIGS 13 and 14 show the discharge device 34 provided beneath the container conveying path 20.
  • the discharge device 34 comprises a lever 44 which when appropriately positioned is arranged to shift the pin 40 provided in the tilting mechanism of the container, a rotary solenoid 45 being provided to move the lever 44.
  • a tilting cam 46 causes the pin 40 to move when directed thereonto by the lever 44.
  • a discharge instruction signal produced by the shift circuit 30 of the arithmetic unit 29 is transmitted in synchronism with the arrival of the appropriate container 6 at the discharge position, so as to actuate the rotary solenoid 45 to cause the lever 44 to turn, thereby guiding the pin 40 on the tilting cam 46.
  • the pin 40 thus slides sideways, and the receiving pan part 7 is tilted to discharge the object 2 being sorted.
  • FIGs 15 to 19 show details of the conveyor system with containers as used in the weight sorting apparatus shown in Figures 3 and 4.
  • the front portion of each mounting part which is coupled with a container is connected through a hinge-pin to an associated metal mounting piece 47 which pieces are provided on the chain 11 at regular intervals.
  • An object to be sorted is discharged from a container by tilting downwardly the rear part of the container.
  • Each container 6 has a receiving pan part 7 disposed in the upper part thereof, a sliding face 8 disposed in a lower part and two apertures 9 arranged to extend through a mounting part disposed between the receiving pan part 7 and the sliding face 8. These parts are formed in one unified body.
  • the mounting part has an arm 49 which carries a shaft 13 extending through the apertures 9.
  • the apertures 9 may be arranged to be round or square, or of some other shapes, in the same manner as has been described in connection with the first embodiment. However, the size of each aperture must be determined by adding the clearances a, b, e and f to the outer diameter of the shaft 13.
  • the aperture 9 disposed to the front of the mounting member is of a square shape and defines a vertical face 15 formed on the front side thereof, the vertical face 15 thus facing rearwardly.
  • a flanged roller 50 (similar in function to roller 16 of the first embodiment) is rotatably mounted on a shaft 13a and thus serves as a pushing member.
  • Shaft 13 has an extension 48b which protrudes outwardly beyond the arm 49 and is carried on a running rail 51. With the extension 48b arranged in this manner, the container is kept horizontal whilst travelling.
  • the front portion of the arm 49 is connected by hinge-pins 52 to a metal mounting piece 47.
  • Figures 20 and 21 show the discharge device 34 which is disposed below the container conveying path 20, and on one side thereof.
  • a portion of the running rail 51 is here cut out, and is replaced by an ascending-and-descending rail 53, arranged to be movable by means of a solenoid 54.
  • the rail 53 normally has its upper surface 53a kept at the same level as the running rail 51.
  • a discharge instruction signal transmitted in synchronism with the arrival of an appropriate container at the cut-out portion actuates the solenoid 54, so as to cause the rail 53 to ascend.
  • the shaft extension 48b of the container then drops downwardly on to a ramp surface, and further movement of the metal mounting piece 11 causes the rear part of the container to descend.
  • An object to be sorted is thus discharged at this device. Were the object not to be sorted, rail 53 would have been maintained at its lower position ( Figure 20).
  • FIGs 9, 15 and particularly 22 show an example of an electronic weighing instrument 17 which is provided with an electromagnetic force balance device 21, suitable for use with the various types of the weight sorting apparatus 1.
  • the electronic weighing instrument comprises a lever 22 disposed horizontally to extend across a stand 55 which upstands from and is secured to a base plate.
  • a fulcrum part 55a protrudes from an upper part of the stand 55, the lever 22 and the fulcrum part 55a being connected to each other by a pair of left and right plate springs 56 so as to form a fulcrum 23.
  • One end part of the lever 22 is located a short distance from the fulcrum 23 and is connected to member 57 by a pair of left and right plate springs 58 to give a weight point 59, the receiving member 57 extending up toward the lower part of the weighing receiver plate 18.
  • the upper and lower parts 55b and 55c of the stand 55 are respectively connected to the upper and lower parts 57a, and 57b of the receiving member 57 by means of four plate springs 60, disposed parallel to the lever 22 with two thereabove and two therebelow.
  • Each plate spring 60 is reinforced in the middle portion 60a thereof. This arrangement provides the function of the stay of a Roberval mechanism.
  • the rail 19 extends horizontally for a distance shorter than the mounting interval P of adjacent containers 6.
  • the fore end part 22b of the lever 22 has mounted thereon a balancing core 61 of an electromagnetic force balance device 21.
  • a coil 62 associated with the core 61 is mounted on a coil stand 63 provided on the base plate, so as to give rise to a force point 64 for electromagnetic force.
  • a differential transformer 65 is attached to a part of the lever 22, to serve as a displacement detector.
  • the containers which carry the objects to be sorted are not fixed to the conveying means (such as a chain) but are arranged so there are clearances therebetween during the weighing operation.
  • Each container is arranged such that it may stand on the weighing device and be pushed horizontally by a pushing member; there is little frictional resistance to such movement over the electronic weighing instrument. Therefore, the load imposed on the electronic weighing instrument is precisely proportional to the weight of the object to be sorted, so that the weight can be measured with a high degree of accuracy.
  • the degree of displacement under load of the weighing receiver plate, or the sliding measurement rail is only 0.1 mm or thereabout. Therefore, the weighing instrument stabilizes quickly to permit high speed weighing.

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  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)

Claims (12)

1. Verfahren zum Sortieren von von Gegenständen aufgrund ihres Gewichts unter Verwendung einer Vorrichtung mit einer elektronischen Wiegevorrichtung und einem Transportsystem mit mehreren Behältern, die jeweils einen Gegenstand tragen, wobei jeder Behälter von einer Transporteinrichtung gestützt wird, durch die jeder Behälter nacheinander zur Wiegevorrichtung und danach durch eine Folge von Entladestellen fortbewegt wird, wobei die Vorrichtung derart angeordnet ist, daß ein getragener Gegenstand an einer dem ermittelten Gewicht des Gegenstandes entsprechenden Entladestelle entladen wird, wobei an der Wiegevorrichtung jeder Behälter von der Transporteinrichtung abgehoben wird, so daß er während des Wiegens nur von der Wiegevorrichtung gestützt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Behälter (6), während er nur von der Wiegevorrichtung (17) gestützt wird, von der Transporteinrichtung (10) mittels einer frei beweglichen Rolle (16) fortbewegt wird, die eine Vorschubkraft in einer im wesentlichen horizontalen Richtung auf den Behälter ausübt.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Wiegevorrichtung eine Gleitschiene (19) aufweist, entlang der jeder Behälter nacheinander gleitet, während er zum Durchführen des Wiegens nur hierdurch gestützt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß, während ein Behälter (6) nur von der Gleitschiene (19) gestützt wird, zwischen dem Behälter und der Transporteinrichtung (10), die den Behälter außer an der Wiegevorrichtung stützt, ein Abstand ausgebildet ist, durch den sich der Behälter bezüglich der Transporteinrichtung nach oben, nach unten, nach jeder Seite oder nach vorne bewegen kann.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein Taktsignal (26) synchron erzeugt wird, wenn ein Behälter von der Wiegevorrichtung gestützt wird, und daß ein das ermittelte Gewicht repräsentierendes Signal in Verbindung mit dem erzeugten Taktsignal verarbeitet wird, wenn die Transporteinrichtung (10) betätigt wird und die Behälter (6) fortbewegt, und daß ein Entladesignal erzeugt wird und eine Entladeeinrichtung (34) an der geeigneten Entladestelle für einen bestimmten Gegenstand (2) betätigt, wenn ermittelt wird, daß der diesen Gegenstand tragende Behälter an dieser Entladestelle anwesend ist.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wiegevorrichtung (17) das Gewicht eines Behälters (6) und des darin getragenen Gegenstandes (2) ermittelt, wobei zum Klassifizieren des Gewichts eines getragenen Gegenstandes (2) in eine von mehreren vorgegebeneIl. Gewichtsklassen, von denen jeweils eine jeder Entladestelle entspricht, ein das ermittelte Gewicht repräsentierendes Signal verarbeitet wird, und wobei ein Entladesignal für die für das klassifizierte Gewicht geeignete Entladestelle erzeut wird durch Verarbeiten des Klassifizierten Gewichtes in Verbindung mit dem Taktsignal, das erzeugt wird, wenn die Transporteinrichtung zum Fortbewegen der Behälter betätigt wird.
5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Erzeugen des Entladesignals die Entladeeinrichtung (34) betätigt, um entweder einen Behälter (6) zur Seite zu kippen oder bezüglich der Transporteinrichtung (10) nach unten zu schwenken, wobei in jedem Fall ein getragener Gegenstand aus dem Behälter entladen wird.
6. Vorrichtung zum Sortieren von Gegenständen aufgrund ihres Gewichts, mit einer elektronisch gesteuerten Wiegevorrichtung, einem Transportsystem mit mehreren Behältern, von denen jeder einen zu sortierenden Gegenstand trägt und von einer Transporteinrichtung gestützt ist, die die Behälter nacheinander zur Wiegevorrichtung und danach durch mehrere beabstandete Entladestellen fortbewegt, einer Entladeeinrichtung an jeder Entladestelle zum Entladen eines getragenen Gegenstandes, wenn ein Entladesignal der Entladeeinrichtung zugeführt wird, und mit einer Verarbeitungseinrichtung, die ein elektrisches Signal von der Wiegevorrichtung und ein synchron mit dem Betrieb der Transporteinrichtung erzeugtes elektrisches Taktsignal empfängt und die Entladesignale erzeugt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jeder Behälter (6) ein Aufnahmeschalenteil (7), eine Gleitfläche (8) und ein Montageteil mit zwei Öffnungen (9) aufweist, die sich schräg zum Montageteil und voneinander beabstandet in Fortbewegungsrichtung des Behälters erstrecken, und daß die Transporteinrichtung (10) mehrere Montageelemente (13) aufweist, von denen jeweils zwei jedem Behälter zugeordnet sind, wobei jedes Montageelement (13) mit Abstand durch eine Öffnung (9) des Montageteils des Behälters geführt ist, so daß jeder Behälter normalerweise von zwei Montageelementen gestützt ist, aber davon abgehoben werden kann, wobei die elektronische Wiegevorrichtung (17) Wiegeeinrichtungen (18, 19) aufweist, die mit der Gleitfläche (8) eines Behälters (6) zusammenwirken und dadurch einen Behälter im Abstand von seinen beiden Montageelementen (13) abheben und den Behälter und jeden dadurch getragenen Gegenstand (2) vollständig stützen und dessen Wiegen ermöglichen, wobei eine frei drehbare Rolle (16) eine im wesentlichen horizontale Vorschubkraft auf das Montageteil des Behälters ausübt, so daß die Gleitfläche (8) des Behälters beim Betrieb der Transporteinrichtung entlang der Wiegeeinrichtung gleitet, während der Behälter von der Wiegeeinrichtung gestützt ist.
7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, ferner dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zwischen dem Montageelement (13) und dem Montageteil des Behälters derartige Abständeia, b, c, d, e und f) aus gebildet sind, daß sich der Behälter bezüglich des Montageelements nach oben, nach unten, nach jeder Seite oder nach vorne bewegen kann, wenn der Behälter vollständig von der Wiegeeinrichtung gestützt ist.
8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, ferner dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wiegeeinrichtung der Wiegevorrichtung (17) in Form einer Gleitschiene (19) ausgebildet ist, entlang der jeder Behälter (6) nacheinander während des Wiegens gleitet, wobei Führungseinrichtungen (24,25) vorgesehen sind, um jeden Behälter von seinem Montageelement ab und auf die Gleitschiene (19) der Wiegevorrichtung zu heben und danach jeden Behälter von der Gleitschiene (19) aufzunehmen und zurück auf sein Montageelement abzusenken.
9. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jeder Behälter einen die Gleitfläche (8) und das Montageteil mit zwei beabstandeten Öffnungen (9) ausbildenden Stützkörper aufweist und das Aufnahmeschalenteil (7) gelenkig mit dem Stützkörper verbunden ist, um ein Schwenken des Schalenteils an einer Entladestelle zum Entladen eines getragenen Gegenstandes (2) zu ermöglichen.
10. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die beiden jedem Behälter zugeordneten Montageelemente (13) von einem gelenkig mit der Transporteinrichtung (10) verbundenen Arm (49) getragen werden, wobei sowohl der Arm (49) als auch der zugeordnete Behälter (6) sich zum Entladen eines getragenen Gegenstandes an einer Entladestelle relativ zur Transporteinrichtung drehen.
11. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 10, ferner dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Achse der frei drehbaren Rolle (16) im wesentlichen horizontal ist, wobei der Umfang der Walze mit einer sich im wesentlichen vertikal erstreckenden Anschlagfläche (15) des Montageteils des Behälters in Eingriff steht.
12. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die frei drehbare Rolle (16) auf einem der Montageelemente angeordnet ist, die sich durch die Öffnungen (9) in das Montageteil des Behälters erstrecken.
EP19820300084 1981-03-06 1982-01-08 Verfahren und Apparat zum Sortieren von Gegenständen nach Gewicht Expired EP0060013B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (14)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP3123981U JPS6127676Y2 (de) 1981-03-06 1981-03-06
JP31239/81U 1981-03-06
JP4115681U JPS57153217U (de) 1981-03-24 1981-03-24
JP41156/81U 1981-03-24
JP47880/81U 1981-04-02
JP1981047880U JPH023128Y2 (de) 1981-04-02 1981-04-02
JP51411/81U 1981-04-09
JP5141181U JPH0127064Y2 (de) 1981-04-09 1981-04-09
JP1981077820U JPS6115996Y2 (de) 1981-05-28 1981-05-28
JP1981077818U JPS6119831Y2 (de) 1981-05-28 1981-05-28
JP77820/81U 1981-05-28
JP77818/81U 1981-05-28
JP125464/81U 1981-08-25
JP12546481U JPS5830613U (ja) 1981-08-25 1981-08-25 牽引型滑走式選果機

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EP0060013A1 EP0060013A1 (de) 1982-09-15
EP0060013B1 true EP0060013B1 (de) 1985-08-07

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NL8204328A (nl) * 1982-11-09 1984-06-01 Tas Adrianus Wilhelmus Inrichting voor het op gewicht sorteren van gewassen.
US4660665A (en) * 1986-03-07 1987-04-28 Powell Jr Harry Accurate weight sizing
EP0267790A3 (de) * 1986-11-12 1990-01-17 Lockwood Graders (U.K.) Limited Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Sortieren von Gegenständen
ES2027274T3 (es) * 1986-12-24 1992-06-01 M.A.F.(Materiel Pour L'arboriculture Fruitiere) S.A. Aparato para la clasificacion automatica de productos agricolas tales como frutos.
WO1990000447A1 (en) * 1988-07-14 1990-01-25 Apv Corporation Limited Checking of doughpiece weight in a bread manufacturing plant
DK159868C (da) * 1988-08-03 1991-05-21 Hude Centralen Andelsselskabet Anlaeg til sortering af huder, der tilfoeres i kasser
GB8917598D0 (en) * 1989-08-01 1989-09-13 Peebles Alan Weighing apparatus
US5294004A (en) * 1991-08-19 1994-03-15 Durand-Wayland, Inc. Article-holding cup and scale for apparatus that sorts articles by weight
FR2849790B1 (fr) * 2003-01-09 2005-05-20 Michel Durand Dispositif de convoyage de produits, notamment de fruits ou legumes, adapte pour effectuer un triage des produits au moins en fonction de leur poids
CN107413668A (zh) * 2017-09-15 2017-12-01 苏州立源信智能科技有限公司 一种钢结构件自动筛选装置
CN109967401B (zh) * 2019-05-05 2023-12-29 忠县南泰电子有限公司 一种变压器自动检测分捡装置
FR3119105B1 (fr) * 2021-01-27 2023-01-20 Maf Agrobotic Procédé d’ajustement d’au moins un paramètre d’une ligne de triage d’objets tels que des fruits ou des légumes et système de triage associé

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DE3265117D1 (en) 1985-09-12
NZ199446A (en) 1984-12-14

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